65-year-old man sexually assaults, kills four-year-old girl in Pune

Pune: A 65-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault and murder of a four-year-old girl in the Bhor taluka of Pune district, police said.

The child was reported missing on Friday afternoon, prompting a search by her family and local residents. Her body was later found with severe injuries in the Nasrapur area, officials confirmed.

Police said CCTV footage from the locality appeared to show the suspect taking the girl with him, which led to his identification and subsequent detention. He is currently in custody while investigations continue.

The incident has sparked widespread anger in the area, with villagers staging a blockade on the Pune–Bengaluru Highway in protest. Demonstrators have demanded swift and strict action against the accused.

The gruesome crime has triggered a massive wave of anger among residents. On Friday evening, when the child’s body was brought near the local police station, emotional scenes unfolded, as grieving family members broke down and villagers gathered in large numbers demanding justice.

A social activist said, "I stand with this grief-stricken community. While we operate under a system of law, the recurring failure of fast-track courts to deliver swift verdicts has eroded public trust. When justice is delayed for years, the deterrent effect vanishes, and the cycle of violence continues."

Sandip Singh Gill, Superintendent of Pune Rural Police said, within 15 days the chargesheet will be filed against the accused and the cases will be run in fast track court. Gill assured the protesters, that police will take very strict action in the matter.

The accused has been taken into custody and an investigation is underway.

This tragedy is not isolated. Just days ago on April 30, a 38-year-old man was arrested in Greater Noida for allegedly strangling his 14-year-old stepdaughter and dumping her body in a forest. Preliminary investigations suggest a history of sexual assault.